Scroll down for photo galleries of this year’s event.

“I’m a lucky sonofabitch!” – Barrie Stafford

This year’s 31st Annual Day of Golf, held over the past 2 days at the Derrick Golf and Winter Club raised in excess of $600,000 for the Cure Cancer Foundation, with funds this year going to support research and patients at the Cross Cancer Institute and research into multiple myeloma and colon cancer.  In its now 31 years, the tournament has raised more than $16 million dollars.

Grant Fuhr co-hosted this year’s tournament along with Oiler royalty Glenn Anderson who has been involved since day 1.

This year, a companion event was added.  The Toast of the Town, held at Polar Park, honoured long time Oilers trainer and equipment manager Barrie Stafford. Barrie was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2011.

Stafford spoke passionately about his fight with the disease after being diagnosed in 2011.

“My whole life I’ve been a very health conscious person. I was struggling with pain, couldn’t sleep, and just wasn’t feeling right. I came face to face with my mortality and didn’t know if I was going to live or die.”

Research into multiple myeloma has extended his life dramatically.

The night had some real high points for fans of the great Oiler’s dynasty of the ’80’s.  Greeting came from Jari Kurri and Paul Coffey. Ryan Smith sent a video with some really kind words.  It was a hug from Smith that broke Stafford’s collar bone and led to him being hospitalized and diagnosed with the disease back in 2011.

Mark Messier sent a video that started simply with “Hey Staff – it’s Mess.”.  He went on to talk about the incredible influence Stafford had on him as a young player in Edmonton.

Marty McSorley entertained everyone, and drew a big laugh as he recalled getting Stafford to sharpen his skates for him when he was playing against the Oilers with LA.  Stafford said at the time “If Sather ever finds out, I’m going to get fired!”

The Great One himself, Wayne Gretzky said in note that was read out that “Barrie is not just a trainer. He’s a fan.  He’s a player.”

Speaking of his playing days, two of Stafford’s teammates from the Amarillo Wranglers where he played as a 20 year old and where he was known as a “tough guy”, were in the crowd to honour him as well.

In Alberta, there are 300 people suffering from Multiple Myeloma.  The Cure Cancer Foundation is a new organization.  Their goal is to cut as much cost from their fundraising efforts as possible, relying almost exclusively on volunteers to organize and manage the event. It’s a grassroots movement to generate funding for initiatives at the Cross Cancer Institute—including research, diagnosis, treatment and patient care

This year’s inaugural Toast of the Town  generated $110,000 of the $600,000 2-day total.

Now, onto more fun!

Once again this year, the golf tournament was a great success – held at the Derrick Golf and Winter Club in terrific weather, with great volunteers, and a whole lot of fun reconnecting with some of our hockey heroes of the past.

This year’s winners turned in an impressive -13 in the best ball format.  Congratulations to Al Sim, Craig Simpson, Terry Loewen, Duane Sokalski, and Gary Ziehr.

Al Sim, Craig Simpson, Terry Loewen, Duane Sokalski, Gary Ziehr

If you were at either the Toast of the Town or the 31st Annual Day of Golf, there is a good chance that your photo is included in the galleries below.  Please share this story and spread the word about the amazing people of our city who put so much into helping others.

These photo galleries were sponsored by The Creative Hive, a new co-working space on Edmonton’s west end featuring a large natural light studio and plenty of quirky things to make your workday special.  These photos are from yesterday’s golf tournament and were shot by Walter Tychnowicz.

CLICK ANY PHOTO TO OPEN A SLIDE SHOW.